Dashboard for multi site management system

ABSTRACT

A multi-site Building Management System (BMS) monitors performance of a local BMS at each of a plurality of remote sites. The multi-site BMS includes a controller that is configured to determine a plurality of local performance metrics associated with each local BMS based on the operational data received from each local BMS and to aggregate like ones of the plurality of local performance metrics, resulting in a plurality of aggregated performance metrics. The controller is configured to display on the display a plurality of panels, to display in each of the plurality of panels the corresponding one of the plurality of aggregated performance metrics and to display in each of the plurality of panels a ranking of one or more of the remote sites by their corresponding local performance metric.

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No.63/039,373, filed Jun. 15, 2020, which is hereby incorporated byreference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates generally to building management systems,and more particularly to multi-site building management systems.

BACKGROUND

Portfolio managers may be responsible for monitoring tens, hundreds oreven thousands of different building locations that may be spread outacross different states or even across different nations. Each of thebuilding locations may have a local building management system thatprovides data on alarms, energy conservation and the like. It can bedifficult to easily spot potential problems occurring at a singlebuilding location, much less from a multitude of building managementsystems that are spread out geographically. It will be appreciated thatthe sheer volume of data, even if limited for example to active alarms,can be overwhelming. What would be desirable would be a multi-sitemanagement system that can help a portfolio manager manage the datacoming in from a number of different building management systems.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure relates generally to helping a portfolio managermanage the sheer volume of data coming in from a number of differentbuilding management systems and assist the portfolio manager in quicklyand efficiently detecting and responding to potential issues throughoutthe portfolio of buildings for which they are responsible. In anexample, a multi-site Building Management System (BMS) monitorsperformance of a local BMS at each of a plurality of remote sites. Thisexample multi-site BMS includes a port, a display and a controller thatis operatively coupled to the display and the port. The port receivesoperational data from the local BMS of each of the plurality of remotesites. The controller is configured to determine a plurality of localperformance metrics associated with the local BMS of each of theplurality of remote sites based on the operational data received fromthe local BMS of each of the plurality of remote sites. The controlleris further configured to aggregate like ones of the plurality of localperformance metrics from the plurality of remote sites, resulting in aplurality of aggregated performance metrics. The controller is furtherconfigured to display on the display a plurality of panels, each panelassociated with a different one of the plurality of local performancemetrics. The controller also displays in each of the plurality of panelsthe corresponding one of the plurality of aggregated performancemetrics. The controller also displays in each of the plurality of panelsa ranking of one or more of the remote sites by their correspondinglocal performance metric, sometimes with outliers ranked first so theyare easily identified and accessed.

In another example, a non-transient computer readable medium hasinstructions stored thereon. When the instructions are executed by aprocessor, the processor is caused to determine a plurality of localperformance metrics associated with a local BMS of each of a pluralityof remote sites based on operational data received from the local BMS ofeach of the plurality of remote sites. The processor is further causedto aggregate like ones of the plurality of local performance metricsfrom the plurality of remote sites, resulting in a plurality ofaggregated performance metrics. The processor is further caused todisplay on the display a plurality of panels, each panel associated witha different one of the plurality of local performance metrics. Theprocessor is further caused to display in each of the plurality ofpanels the corresponding one of the plurality of aggregated performancemetrics. The processor is also caused to allow a user to select one ofthe plurality of remote sites, and in response to selection of one ofthe plurality of remote sites, display a site view that includes atleast some of the local performance metrics associated with theparticular selected remote site.

In another example, a method monitors a performance of a local BMS ateach of a plurality of remote sites. A plurality of local performancemetrics associated with a local BMS of each of a plurality of remotesites are determined based on operational data received from the localBMS of each of the plurality of remote sites. Like ones of the pluralityof local performance metrics from the plurality of remote sites areaggregated, resulting in a plurality of aggregated performance metrics.A plurality of panels are displayed on a display, each panel associatedwith a different one of the plurality of local performance metrics. Thecorresponding one of the plurality of aggregated performance metrics aredisplayed in each of the plurality of panels. A ranking of one or moreof the remote sites by their corresponding local performance metric isalso displayed in each of the plurality of panels.

The preceding summary is provided to facilitate an understanding of someof the innovative features unique to the present disclosure and is notintended to be a full description. A full appreciation of the disclosurecan be gained by taking the entire specification, claims, figures, andabstract as a whole.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

The disclosure may be more completely understood in consideration of thefollowing description of various examples in connection with theaccompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram of an illustrative multi-site BMSoperatively coupled to a number of remote sites;

FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram of an illustrative multi-site BMSusable in the illustrative building system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a flow diagram showing an illustrative method using theillustrative multi-site BMS of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a flow diagram showing an illustrative method using theillustrative multi-site BMS of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a flow diagram showing an illustrative method using theillustrative multi-site BMS of FIG. 2; and

FIGS. 6 through 11 are illustrative dashboard screens that may begenerated by the illustrative multi-site BMS of FIG. 2.

While the disclosure is amenable to various modifications andalternative forms, specifics thereof have been shown by way of examplein the drawings and will be described in detail. It should beunderstood, however, that the intention is not to limit the disclosureto the particular examples described. On the contrary, the intention isto cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling withinthe spirit and scope of the disclosure.

DESCRIPTION

The following description should be read with reference to the drawings,in which like elements in different drawings are numbered in likefashion. The drawings, which are not necessarily to scale, depictexamples that are not intended to limit the scope of the disclosure.Although examples are illustrated for the various elements, thoseskilled in the art will recognize that many of the examples providedhave suitable alternatives that may be utilized.

All numbers are herein assumed to be modified by the term “about”,unless the content clearly dictates otherwise. The recitation ofnumerical ranges by endpoints includes all numbers subsumed within thatrange (e.g., 1 to 5 includes 1, 1.5, 2, 2.75, 3, 3.80, 4, and 5).

As used in this specification and the appended claims, the singularforms “a”, “an”, and “the” include the plural referents unless thecontent clearly dictates otherwise. As used in this specification andthe appended claims, the term “or” is generally employed in its senseincluding “and/or” unless the content clearly dictates otherwise.

It is noted that references in the specification to “an embodiment”,“some embodiments”, “other embodiments”, etc., indicate that theembodiment described may include a particular feature, structure, orcharacteristic, but every embodiment may not necessarily include theparticular feature, structure, or characteristic. Moreover, such phrasesare not necessarily referring to the same embodiment. Further, when aparticular feature, structure, or characteristic is described inconnection with an embodiment, it is contemplated that the feature,structure, or characteristic is described in connection with anembodiment, it is contemplated that the feature, structure, orcharacteristic may be applied to other embodiments whether or notexplicitly described unless clearly stated to the contrary.

FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram of an illustrative buildingmanagement system 10. In its broadest terms, the illustrative buildingmanagement system 10 includes a multi-site BMS 12 and a plurality ofremote sites 14 operatively coupled to the multi-site BMS. While a totalof three remote sites 14 are shown, it will be appreciated that this ismerely illustrative, as the multi-site BMS 12 may oversee and/or monitoroperations of a large number of remote sites 14. The remote sites 14 maybe distributed across a large geographic area. Each of the remote sites14 are individually labeled as 14 a, 14 b, 14 c and may each representany of a variety of different types of sites. While each of the remotesites 14 may be described herein as being buildings, this is notrequired in all cases. For example, some of the remote sites 14 may alsorepresent factories or other processing facilities.

In the example shown, each of the remote sites 14 include a local BMS16, individually labeled as 16 a, 16 b, 16 c. In some cases, some of theremote sites 14 may not include a local BMS 16. In such cases, theequipment 18, 20 and/or controllers (not illustrated) that controloperation of the equipment 18, 20 may communicate directly with thegateway 22. In some cases, information pertaining to operation of theequipment 18, 20 may be accessible by logging into a local system (notillustrated), or even into the local controllers, with a local dashboarddisplayed on a web browser or a smart device such is a tablet or smartphone.

Each local BMS 16 may be considered as being operably coupled with avariety of different equipment 18, 20 that is located at the remote site14. It will be appreciated that there will typically be many more piecesof equipment 18, 20 than the two that are illustrated at each remotesite 14. The equipment 18, 20 is individually labeled as 18 a, 20 a, 18b, 20 b, 18 c, 20 c, and may include Heating, Ventilating and AirConditioning (HVAC) system components. The equipment 18, 20 may includelighting system components, security system components, and the like.Each BMS 16 may be configured to receive operational data from theequipment 18, 20 and to formulate control commands for the equipment 18,20 in response to the received operational data. Each local BMS 16 maybe configured to enable local control of the equipment 18, 20, as wellas local monitoring of the equipment 18, 20.

In some cases, the local BMS 16 may be configured to provide operationaldata to the multi-site BMS 12. In order to communicate with themulti-site BMS 12, in some cases each of the remote sites 14 may includea gateway 22, individually labeled as 22 a, 22 b, 22 c. The gateways 22,if present, may provide a way by which each local BMS 16 can communicatewith the multi-site BMS 12. The gateways 22 may provide a means foroperational data to be uploaded from each local BMS 16 to the multi-siteBMS 12 as well as control commands to be downloaded from the multi-siteBMS 12 to each local BMS 16. In some cases, the gateways 22 may beconfigured to download software packages from the multi-site BMS 12 thatbetter configures each local BMS 16 for communication with themulti-site BMS 12.

FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram of the illustrative multi-site BMS12. The multi-site BMS 12 may be considered as being configured tomonitor the performance of the local BMS 16 at each of the remote sites14. The multi-site BMS 12 includes a port 24 that is configured toreceive operational data from the local BMS 16 at each of the remotesites 14. The multi-site BMS includes a display 26 and a controller 28that is operatively coupled to the port 24 and to the display 26. Thecontroller 28 may be configured to determine a plurality of localperformance metrics associated with the local BMS 16 of each of theplurality of remote sites 14 based on the operational data received fromthe local BMS 16 of each of the plurality of remote sites 14. One of thelocal performance metrics may be associated with alarms that are issuedby the local BMS 16. Another of the local performance metrics may beassociated with comfort provided by the local BMS 16. Another of thelocal performance metrics may be associated with energy usage by thelocal BMS 16. These are just examples.

The controller 28 may be configured to aggregate like ones of theplurality of local performance metrics from the plurality of remotesites 14, resulting in a plurality of aggregated performance metrics.For example, the local performance metrics associated with alarms fromeach of the remote sites may be rolled up or aggregated into one or moreaggregated performance metrics associated with alarms. Aggregating may,for example, include one or more of averaging like ones of the pluralityof local performance metrics from the plurality of remote sites 14 orsumming like ones of the plurality of local performance metrics from theplurality of remote sites 14. Alternatively, or in addition, aggregatingmay include computing a score based on like ones of the plurality oflocal performance metrics from the plurality of remote sites 14 and/orranking like ones of the plurality of local performance metrics from theplurality of remote sites 14. These are just examples.

The controller 28 may display on the display 26 a plurality of panels,each panel associated with a different one of the plurality of localperformance metrics. The controller 28 may also display in each panelthe corresponding one of the plurality of aggregated performancemetrics. In some cases, the controller 28 may display in each of theplurality of panels a ranking of one or more of the remote sites 14 bytheir corresponding local performance metric.

In some cases, a first one of the plurality of panels that are displayedon the display 26 may be associated with a first local performancemetric that is associated with alarms that are issued by the local BMS16. A second one of the plurality of panels that are displayed on thedisplay 26 may be associated with a second local performance metric thatis associated with comfort provided by the local BMS 16. A third one ofthe plurality of panels that are displayed on the display 26 may beassociated with a third local performance metric that is associated withenergy usage by the local BMS 16. These are just examples.

In some instances, the controller 28 may be configured to process eachof the plurality of local performance metrics of each of the pluralityof remote sites 14 to identify those that do not meet a predefinedcriteria. The controller 28 may be configured to classify each of theplurality of local performance metrics of each of the plurality ofremote sites 14 that do not meet the predefined criteria as needingattention. In some cases, the controller 28 may be configured toaggregate like ones of the plurality of local performance metrics fromthe plurality of remote sites 14 that are classified as needingattention, and display an indication of the aggregation of those needingattention on the corresponding one of the plurality of panels.

In some cases, the controller 28 may be configured to display a map viewadjacent the plurality of panels, wherein the map view displays ageographical location of at least some of the plurality of remote sites14. The controller 28 may allow a user to select a sub-set of theplurality of remote sites 14 on the map view, and in response, aggregatelike ones of the plurality of local performance metrics from only thesub-set of the plurality of remote sites 14, and display in each of theplurality of panels the corresponding one of the plurality of aggregatedperformance metrics for only the sub-set of the plurality of remotesites.

The controller 28 may be configured to allow a user to select one of theplurality of remote sites 14 and, in response to selection of one of theplurality of remote sites 14, display a site view that includes at leastsome of the local performance metrics associated with the particularselected remote site 14. In some cases, the controller 28 is alsoconfigured to, in response to selection of one of the plurality ofremote sites 14, display performance indicators associated with one ormore pieces of equipment 18, 20 that are part of the local BMS 16 at theselected remote site and to allow a user to select one of the pieces ofequipment 18, 20 that are part of the local BMS 16 at the selectedremote site 14. In response to selection of one of the pieces ofequipment 18, 20 that are part of the local BMS 16 at the selectedremote site 14, the controller 28 is configured to display an equipmentview that includes additional information associated with the operationof the to select one of the pieces of equipment 18, 20. In some cases,the additional information associated with the operation of the selectedone of the pieces of equipment may include one or more alarms issued bythe selected one of the pieces of equipment 18, 20, sensor valuesassociated with the operation of the select one of the pieces ofequipment 18, 20, control signals associated with the operation of theselect one of the pieces of equipment 18, 20, and/or a scheduleassociated with the select one of the pieces of equipment 18, 20.

FIG. 3 is a flow diagram showing an illustrative method 30 that may becarried out by the multi-site BMS 12. A plurality of local performancemetrics associated with a local BMS of each of a plurality of remotesites 14 is determined based on operational data received from the localBMS 16 of each of the plurality of remote sites 14, as indicated atblock 32. Like ones of the plurality of local performance metrics fromthe plurality of remote sites 14 are aggregated, resulting in aplurality of aggregated performance metrics, as indicated at block 34. Aplurality of panels are displayed on the display 26, each panel beingassociated with a different one of the plurality of local performancemetrics, as indicated at block 36. The corresponding one of theplurality of aggregated performance metrics are displayed in each of theplurality of panels, as indicated at block 38.

As an example, a first one of the plurality of panels may be associatedwith a first local performance metric such as alarms that are issued bythe local BMS 16. A second one of the plurality of panels may beassociated with a second local performance metric such as comfortprovided by the local BMS 16. A third one of the plurality of panels maybe associated with a third local performance metric such as energy usageby the local BMS 16. A user is allowed to select one of the plurality ofremote sites 14, as indicated at block 40. In response to selection ofone of the plurality of remote sites 14, a site view is displayed thatincludes at least some of the local performance metrics associated withthe particular selected remote site 14, as indicated at block 42.

FIG. 4 is a flow diagram showing an illustrative method 50 that may becarried out by the multi-site BMS 12. A plurality of local performancemetrics associated with a local BMS of each of a plurality of remotesites 14 is determined based on operational data received from the localBMS 16 of each of the plurality of remote sites 14, as indicated atblock 32. Like ones of the plurality of local performance metrics fromthe plurality of remote sites 14 are aggregated, resulting in aplurality of aggregated performance metrics, as indicated at block 34. Aplurality of panels are displayed on the display 26, each panel beingassociated with a different one of the plurality of local performancemetrics, as indicated at block 36. The corresponding one of theplurality of aggregated performance metrics are displayed in each of theplurality of panels, as indicated at block 38. A user is allowed toselect one of the plurality of remote sites 14, as indicated at block40.

In response to selection of one of the plurality of remote sites 14,performance indicators associated with one or more pieces of equipment18, 20 that are part of the local BMS 16 at the selected remote site 14are displayed, as indicated at block 52. A user is allowed to select oneof the pieces of equipment 18, 20 that are part of the local BMS 16 atthe selected remote site 14, as indicated at block 54. In response toselection of one of the pieces of equipment 18, 20 that are part of thelocal BMS 16 at the selected remote site 14, an equipment view isdisplayed that includes additional information associated with theoperation of the selected one of the pieces of equipment 18, 20, asindicated at block 56. In some cases, the additional informationassociated with the operation of the selected one of the pieces ofequipment 18, 20 may include one or more of alarms issued by theselected one of the pieces of equipment 18, 20, sensor values associatedwith the operation of the select one of the pieces of equipment 18, 20,control signals associated with the operation of the select one of thepieces of equipment 18, 20 and a schedule associated with the select oneof the pieces of equipment 18, 20.

FIG. 5 is a flow diagram showing an illustrative method 60 formonitoring a performance of a local BMS 16 at each of a plurality ofremote sites 14. A plurality of local performance metrics associatedwith a local BMS 16 of each of a plurality of remote sites 14 aredetermined based on operational data received from the local BMS 16 ofeach of the plurality of remote sites 14, as indicated at block 62. Likeones of the plurality of local performance metrics from the plurality ofremote sites 14 are aggregated, resulting in a plurality of aggregatedperformance metrics, as indicated at block 64. In some cases,aggregating includes one or more of averaging like ones of the pluralityof local performance metrics from the plurality of remote sites 14 orsumming like ones of the plurality of local performance metrics from theplurality of remote sites 14. Aggregating may also include one or moreof computing a score based on like ones of the plurality of localperformance metrics from the plurality of remote sites 14 and rankinglike ones of the plurality of local performance metrics from theplurality of remote sites 14.

A plurality of panels are displayed on the display 26, each panelassociated with a different one of the plurality of local performancemetrics, as indicated at block 66. The corresponding one of theplurality of aggregated performance metrics are displayed in each of theplurality of panels, as indicated at block 68. A ranking of one or moreof the remote sites 14 by their corresponding local performance metricare displayed, at indicated at block 70.

FIGS. 6 through 11 are screen shots showing examples of some of thescreens that may be generated by the multi-site BMS 12. FIG. 6 shows aportfolio level dashboard 80. In some cases, as illustrated, theportfolio level dashboard 80 includes a map 82 that shows a geographicarea in which a number of remote sites 14 are located. As shown, the map82 includes several icons 84 that each represent one or more remotesites 14. For example, an icon 84 a represents a total of four remotesites 14, an icon 84 b represents a total of three remote sites 14, anicon 84 c represents a single remote site 14, an icon 84 d represents atotal of two remote sites 14 and an icon 84 e represents a single remotesite 14. Each of the icons 84 may be selected in order to viewadditional information regarding the remote sites 14 that arerepresented by the particular icon 84.

In some cases, the icons 84 may be color coded. For example, a firstcolor may represent alarms, a second color may represent comfort and athird color may represent energy. In some instances, different colorsmay be used to represent varying degrees of seriousness. For example,red may be used to indicate that there is a serious alarm at one of theremote sites 14 while yellow may be used to indicate a less seriousalarm at one of the remote sites 14. Various colors may be used toindicate how many problems are detected at a particular remote site 14,for example.

The portfolio level dashboard 80 includes a number of panels. Asillustrated, the portfolio level dashboard 80 includes an Alarm panel86, a Comfort panel 88 and an Energy panel 90. In some instances, a usermay determine that they are not interested in comfort, for example, andthe controller 28 may be configured to no longer display the Comfortpanel 88. This is just an example. The Alarm panel 86 may include aReported Alarms icon 92 that shows how many alarms have been reported,an Active Alarms icon 94 that shows how many alarms are currently activeand an Alarms Listing icon 96 that provides a listing of how many highalarms, how many medium alarms and how many low alarms are present. TheAlarm panel 86 also includes a listing 98 of the site rankings of theremote sites 14 reporting alarms. The listing 98 may be sorted, ifdesired, to reveal superior performing sites and/or underperformingsites based on total number of alarms, number of unresolved alarms,number of serious alarms, frequency of alarms, average time taken toresolve an alarm, and or any other suitable criteria.

In the example shown, the Comfort panel 88 includes an overall ComfortScore icon 100 that provides a visual indication of an overall comfortscore of the remote sites. The Comfort panel 88 also includes a listing102 of the parameters being used to determine the overall comfort score.As shown, the overall comfort score is based at least in part upon anaverage temperature score, a humidity score and a carbon dioxide (CO₂)score. The Comfort panel 88 also includes a listing 104 of particularsites contributing to the overall comfort score. The listing 104 may besorted, if desired, to reveal superior performing sites and/orunderperforming sites. For example, each remote site may have a computedlocal comfort score based on the performance of the local BMS, and thelisting 104 may be sorted by the local comfort score of each site. Thisis just one example.

In the example shown, the Energy panel 90 includes an Excess Use icon106 that shows how many sites are reporting excessive energy usage, aFactory Default Schedule icon 108 that shows how many sites are using afactory default schedule and a Manual Override icon 110 that shows howmany sites are operating under a manual override. The Energy panel 90also includes a listing 112 that shows the sites contributing to theExcess Use icon 106, the Factory Default Schedule icon 108 and theManual Override icon 110. The listing 112 may be sorted, if desired, toreveal superior performing sites and/or underperforming sites.

In the example shown, each of the Alarm panel 86, the Comfort panel 88and the Energy panel 90 include a Current button 114 and Trend button116. The Current button 114 may be selected to display currentinformation (as is shown in FIG. 6). The Trend button 116 may beselected to display historical data including historical trends. In somecases, historical data may be shown in graphical form within theappropriate panel such as the Alarm panel 86, the Comfort panel 88 andthe Energy panel 90.

In some cases, it is possible to toggle between the portfolio leveldashboard 80 shown in FIG. 6 with a map view and a portfolio dashboard120 with a list view. An example list view is shown in FIG. 7. Theportfolio level dashboards 80, 120 include a map view icon 122 and alist view icon 124. It can be seen that in FIG. 6, the map view icon 122has been selected while in FIG. 7, the list view icon 124 has beenselected. The portfolio level dashboard 120 in list view includes a row126 that provides information as to the number of sites, how many sitesare offline, how many are currently in alarm, how many are currentlyusing too much energy, and the like.

The portfolio level dashboard 120 in list view includes a Sites column128, an Alarm total column 130, an Active High Alarm column 132, aComfort Score column 134, a Temperature Score column 136, a HumidityScore column 138, a CO2 Score column 140, an Excess Use column 142, aFactory Default Schedule column 144, a Manual Override column 146 and anOverride Duration column 148. It will be appreciated that much of theinformation provided in the portfolio level dashboard 80 in map view isalso shown in the portfolio level dashboard 120 in list view. A point ofinterest in the Site column 128 is that sites are organized in ahierarchal manner, with individual components listed under theircorresponding header. For example, the header LDS 7350 High River hasbeen expanded to reveal Chapel, F3 RS RM Bishop, and so on. In theexample shown, Chapel, F3 RS RM Bishop are each individual pieces ofequipment (e.g. a rooftop unit) at the LDS 7350 High River site.

FIG. 8 shows a site level dashboard 160 that shows an equipment listview while FIG. 9 shows a site level dashboard 190 that shows a devicelist view. The site level dashboards 160, 190 may be reached byselecting the site on the portfolio level dashboard. In some cases, auser may enter a search query into the multi-site BMS to identify adesired remote site, and then select the site to reach the desired sitelevel dashboards 160, 190. These are just example.

In the example shown, once the site level dashboard 160, 190 is reached,a user is able to select between the equipment list view and the devicelist view by toggling either an equipment view icon 162 or a device listview icon 164. The site level dashboard 160 allows a user to see all ofthe equipment at a particular site in a single list that allows the userto switch between different equipment types such as but not limited toRTU (roof top units), VRF (variable refrigerant flow units) and AHU (airhandling units). As illustrated, roof top units have been selected. Thesite level dashboard 160 includes a Name column 166, a Current Statuscolumn 168, an Active High Alarm column 170, a Current Temperaturecolumn 172, an Effective Setpoint column 174, a Humidity column 176, anExcess Runtime column 178, a Manual Override Duration column 180 and aCurrent Schedule column 182.

The site level dashboard 190 with the device list view icon 164 selectedshows information for devices such as sensors, lighting and the like.FIG. 9 shows a sensor summary list. The site level dashboard 190includes a Name column 192, a Zone column 194, a Current Status column196, an Active Alarm column 198, a Current Value column 200, an RSSIcolumn 202, a Battery column 204 and a Firmware Update column 206.

FIG. 10 provides an example of an equipment level dashboard 220 thatallows a user to monitor, command and control the current status,parameter values and/or control signals for a selected piece ofequipment. In some cases, a multiple objects trend view allowsvisualization of each parameter over time. This can provide for improveduser interaction and interpretation for better trouble shooting.Scheduling of the equipment can also be seen. In some cases, theequipment level dashboard 220 may be configured to have a generic designthat can adapt to any of a variety of different types of equipmentwithout requiring additional configuration. The equipment leveldashboard 220 may be reached by selecting the appropriate piece ofequipment on the site level dashboard 160, for example.

As noted, in some cases, the user may be able to specify which panelsare displayed on the portfolio level dashboard 80. FIG. 11 provides ascreen 240 that may be used to specify whether the Comfort panel 88 isdisplayed. Similar screens may be displayed (not shown) to specifywhether the Alarms panel 86 and/or the Energy panel 90 will bedisplayed. The screen 240 includes a slider 242 that may be switchedbetween enable and disable. If enabled, the Comfort panel 88 will bedisplayed. If disabled, the Comfort panel 88 will not be displayed. Insome cases, if the Comfort panel 88 is not displayed, the other panelssuch as the Alarms panel 86 and the Energy panel 90 may be displayedover a larger portion of the screen. The screen 240 also includes asection 244 that allows the user to select alarm limits for comfort. Thescreen 240 also includes a section 246 that allows the user to selectwhich particular parameters will be included in calculating overallscores.

Having thus described several illustrative embodiments of the presentdisclosure, those of skill in the art will readily appreciate that yetother embodiments may be made and used within the scope of the claimshereto attached. It will be understood, however, that this disclosureis, in many respects, only illustrative. Changes may be made in details,particularly in matters of shape, size, arrangement of parts, andexclusion and order of steps, without exceeding the scope of thedisclosure. The disclosure's scope is, of course, defined in thelanguage in which the appended claims are expressed.

What is claimed is:
 1. A multi-site Building Management System (BMS) formonitoring a performance of a local BMS at each of a plurality of remotesites, the multi-site BMS comprising: a port for receiving operationaldata from the local BMS of each of the plurality of remote sites; adisplay; a controller operatively coupled to the display and the port,the controller configured to: determine a plurality of local performancemetrics associated with the local BMS of each of the plurality of remotesites based on the operational data received from the local BMS of eachof the plurality of remote sites; aggregate like ones of the pluralityof local performance metrics from the plurality of remote sites,resulting in a plurality of aggregated performance metrics; display onthe display a plurality of panels, each panel associated with adifferent one of the plurality of local performance metrics; display ineach of the plurality of panels the corresponding one of the pluralityof aggregated performance metrics; display in each of the plurality ofpanels a ranking of one or more of the remote sites by theircorresponding local performance metric.
 2. The multi-site BuildingManagement System (BMS) of claim 1, wherein aggregating comprises one ormore of: averaging like ones of the plurality of local performancemetrics from the plurality of remote sites; summing like ones of theplurality of local performance metrics from the plurality of remotesites; computing a score based on like ones of the plurality of localperformance metrics from the plurality of remote sites; and ranking likeones of the plurality of local performance metrics from the plurality ofremote sites.
 3. The multi-site Building Management System (BMS) ofclaim 1, wherein the controller is further configured to process each ofthe plurality of local performance metrics of each of the plurality ofremote sites to identify those that do not meet a predefined criteria.4. The multi-site Building Management System (BMS) of claim 3, whereinthe controller is further configured to classify each of the pluralityof local performance metrics of each of the plurality of remote sitesthat do not meet the predefined criteria as needing attention.
 5. Themulti-site Building Management System (BMS) of claim 2, wherein thecontroller is further configured to aggregate like ones of the pluralityof local performance metrics from the plurality of remote sites that areclassified as needing attention, and display an indication of theaggregation of those needing attention on the corresponding one of theplurality of panels.
 6. The multi-site Building Management System (BMS)of claim 1, wherein the controller is further configured to display amap view adjacent the plurality of panels, wherein the map view displaysa geographical location of at least some of the plurality of remotesites.
 7. The multi-site Building Management System (BMS) of claim 6,wherein the controller is further configured to allow a user to select asub-set of the plurality of remote sites on the map view, and inresponse, aggregate like ones of the plurality of local performancemetrics from only the sub-set of the plurality of remote sites, anddisplay in each of the plurality of panels the corresponding one of theplurality of aggregated performance metrics for only the sub-set of theplurality of remote sites.
 8. The multi-site Building Management System(BMS) of claim 1, wherein one of the local performance metrics isassociated with alarms issued by the local BMS.
 9. The multi-siteBuilding Management System (BMS) of claim 1, wherein one of the localperformance metrics is associated with comfort provided by the localBMS.
 10. The multi-site Building Management System (BMS) of claim 1,wherein one of the local performance metrics is associated with energyusage by the local BMS.
 11. The multi-site Building Management System(BMS) of claim 1, wherein: a first one of the plurality of panels isassociated with a first local performance metric, and the first localperformance metric is associated with alarms issued by the local BMS; asecond one of the plurality of panels is associated with a second localperformance metric, and the second local performance metric isassociated with comfort provided by the local BMS; and a third one ofthe plurality of panels is associated with a third local performancemetric, and the third local performance metric is associated with energyusage by the local BMS.
 12. The multi-site Building Management System(BMS) of claim 1, wherein the controller is further configured to: allowa user to select one of the plurality of remote sites; and in responseto selection of one of the plurality of remote sites, display a siteview that includes at least some of the local performance metricsassociated with the particular selected remote site.
 13. The multi-siteBuilding Management System (BMS) of claim 12, wherein the controller isfurther configured to: in response to selection of one of the pluralityof remote sites, display performance indicators associated with one ormore pieces of equipment that are part of the local BMS at the selectedremote site; allow a user to select one of the pieces of equipment thatare part of the local BMS at the selected remote site; and in responseto selection of one of the pieces of equipment that are part of thelocal BMS at the selected remote site, display an equipment view thatincludes additional information associated with the operation of the toselect one of the pieces of equipment.
 14. The multi-site BuildingManagement System (BMS) of claim 13, wherein the additional informationassociated with the operation of the to select one of the pieces ofequipment includes one or more alarms issued by the selected one of thepieces of equipment, sensor values associated with the operation of theselect one of the pieces of equipment, control signals associated withthe operation of the select one of the pieces of equipment and aschedule associated with the select one of the pieces of equipment. 15.A non-transient computer readable medium storing thereon instructionsthat when executed by a processor cause the processor to: determine aplurality of local performance metrics associated with a local BMS ofeach of a plurality of remote sites based on operational data receivedfrom the local BMS of each of the plurality of remote sites; aggregatelike ones of the plurality of local performance metrics from theplurality of remote sites, resulting in a plurality of aggregatedperformance metrics; display on the display a plurality of panels, eachpanel associated with a different one of the plurality of localperformance metrics; and display in each of the plurality of panels thecorresponding one of the plurality of aggregated performance metrics;allow a user to select one of the plurality of remote sites; and inresponse to selection of one of the plurality of remote sites, display asite view that includes at least some of the local performance metricsassociated with the particular selected remote site.
 16. Thenon-transient computer readable medium of claim 15, wherein theinstructions further cause the processor to: in response to selection ofone of the plurality of remote sites, display performance indicatorsassociated with one or more pieces of equipment that are part of thelocal BMS at the selected remote site; allow a user to select one of thepieces of equipment that are part of the local BMS at the selectedremote site; and in response to selection of one of the pieces ofequipment that are part of the local BMS at the selected remote site,display an equipment view that includes additional informationassociated with the operation of the selected one of the pieces ofequipment.
 17. The non-transient computer readable medium of claim 16,wherein the additional information associated with the operation of theselected one of the pieces of equipment includes one or more alarmsissued by the selected one of the pieces of equipment, sensor valuesassociated with the operation of the select one of the pieces ofequipment, control signals associated with the operation of the selectone of the pieces of equipment and a schedule associated with the selectone of the pieces of equipment.
 18. The non-transient computer readablemedium of claim 15, wherein: a first one of the plurality of panels isassociated with a first local performance metric, and the first localperformance metric is associated with alarms issued by the local BMS; asecond one of the plurality of panels is associated with a second localperformance metric, and the second local performance metric isassociated with comfort provided by the local BMS; and a third one ofthe plurality of panels is associated with a third local performancemetric, and the third local performance metric is associated with energyusage by the local BMS.
 19. A method for monitoring a performance of alocal BMS at each of a plurality of remote sites, the method comprising:determining a plurality of local performance metrics associated with alocal BMS of each of a plurality of remote sites based on operationaldata received from the local BMS of each of the plurality of remotesites; aggregating like ones of the plurality of local performancemetrics from the plurality of remote sites, resulting in a plurality ofaggregated performance metrics; displaying on a display a plurality ofpanels, each panel associated with a different one of the plurality oflocal performance metrics; and displaying in each of the plurality ofpanels the corresponding one of the plurality of aggregated performancemetrics; displaying in each of the plurality of panels a ranking of oneor more of the remote sites by their corresponding local performancemetric.
 20. The method of claim 19, wherein aggregating comprises one ormore of: averaging like ones of the plurality of local performancemetrics from the plurality of remote sites; summing like ones of theplurality of local performance metrics from the plurality of remotesites; computing a score based on like ones of the plurality of localperformance metrics from the plurality of remote sites; and ranking likeones of the plurality of local performance metrics from the plurality ofremote sites.